Audio Intro to the Karma Course

What is the Karma Course?

The Karma Course delves into the aspects of your birth chart, along with your sign and house placements, to help unlock mysteries and patterns from the past. References on these philosophies include ancient cultural and religious beliefs, along with contemporary speakers on the subject like Bashar, Abraham-Hicks, Deepak Chopra, and astrologers who work with past lives and karma, including Howard Sasportas, Judy Hall, Isabel Hickey and Edgar Cayce.

The goal is to reveal the core meaning of karma, not as retribution or ‘pay back’ but as synchronicity, an alignment. By understanding the continuity of spirit, and why we have certain patterns and contrasts in our lives, we can learn to change what we don't want, consciously. Right here. Right now.

Karma Course Topics

LOA and Karma

Ideas of Reincarnation and Past Lives

Astrology as a Past Life Clock looking at:

the Sun and Moon

Lunar Nodes

12th houses

Saturn

Conjunctions, sextiles, squares, trines and oppositions

Synastry and Karma

Location and Karma

Asteroid 3811 and Karma

Transits and Progressions

Turning Contrast into Gold

Prerequisites for the Karma Course

You'll receive the most out of the Karma Course if you have a familiarity with the basic building blocks of astrology – the signs, planets, houses and aspects – and how they relate to the law of attraction. If you aren’t confident in these areas, please take our complementary course #1 Essential Astrology and Law of Attraction.

I want to give you an example of asteroid 433 Eros, again, a body I’ve made a special study of over the last 20 + years. To get an idea of how we use Asteroids in Astrology, check this short tutorial - Asteroid Astrology.

And, here is a PDF introduction to Eros in signs, houses and aspect to other planets. With that in hand, you can follow the prompts below to plot 433 Eros in your chart and those of any other natal charts you want to check out. Remember the movie metaphor: Eros is the 'planet' or ACTOR, the sign he's in is his COSTUME. The HOUSE he is in is the set or scene, and the ASPECTS to other planets is the script he's reading.

Finding Asteroid 433 Eros in your chart

3) Create chart and view the asteroid 433 Eros placement. Notice what house number he falls in, and what sign. Again, shout out if you get stuck. Everyone in this community is happy to help.

Asteroid 433 Eros Mystery Chart

For my final mystery chart offering, we have a very interesting man. Study where you see Asteroid 433 Eros in his chart below and discuss when, where, how and why passion awakens for this person. You can have a stab at it based on house, sign and perhaps that other planet that’s conjunct, right next door.

Refer back to the glyph tutorial if you get stuck with the symbols. Asteroid 433 Eros is written out at astro.com, but the glyph for this asteroid is a heart with an arrow through it, of course! Have fun!

Asteroid 433 Eros Mystery Chart Revealed

Your delineations of the Eros (passion) in the 12th house of the dreams, collective unconscious and spiritual service, in the leadership sign of Aries, conjunct the liberator Uranus square the ambitious and pragmatic Saturn in the house of religion . . . they’ve really moved me. So spot on. Thank you everyone who explored this chart.

Now look at it in “hind sight” knowing who it belongs to. Martin Luther King Jr.

This man had a dream indeed . . . I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood. A dream he (and Malcom x) knew they would die for.

He inspired millions with his fearless, articulate, arousing, passion. You can say he became a mouthpiece for a collective moment. It doesn’t get more erotic (in the ancient Greek sense of the word) than that.

Where is 433 Eros in your chart? Let's discuss in the comments!

If you want Kim's in depth Eros Natal Astrology Report, check out the details at the Astrology Shop Page.

I wanted to look at Solar Returns in particular right now. This is the birthday chart, the perfect horoscope to read on or near your birthday. You can also to a demi-return at the halfway mark. In this post, we have an example for both the annual solar return and the demi return.

Here at GVA, Kim offers Solar Return Reading - fun and informative to do right around your birthday every year. There's a current wait list, but check them out in the Astrology Shop Page.

Finally, I hope you enjoy the discussion below, and tutorial. Skip straight to the examplesif you are current and ready to jump right in.

6 Minute Audio-Video tutorial on Planetary Returns

What are Solar Return Charts?

There are many astrological techniques that take the horoscope beyond its basic natal form. We can do progressions, transits, synastry, draconic, harmonics, composites, directions and more. And, we can do RETURN CHARTS!

A return is a chart drawn for the moment in time a natal planet returns to its exact birth position after completing a full orbit through the zodiac.

The MOON returns about every 28.5 days giving 13 LUNAR RETURNS a year. These charts portray inner and outer events from the perspective of feelings, emotions, security and survival.

Ever wonder why people say “Many happy returns” on your birthday? This is the return of the SUN to its exact birth position! Every 365 days, we have a Solar Return, occurring the day before, of, or after the birth date.

Solar and Planetary Returns

Solar returns portray inner and outer events based on individuation, the art of becoming who we are meant to be! It is like a preview of coming attractions for the new solar year.

MERCURY (mental and communicative) and VENUS (socially significant relationships and values) also return once a year within a month or so of the birthday.

Note on the Asteroids

The ASTEROIDS(between Venus and Jupiter) vary between 1 year to close to 12 years in their orbits. 433 Eros returns every 1.76 years, and describes experiences of erotic transformation. 16 Psyche returns every 5 years, and is about attuning to another through extrasensory abilities. 4450 Pan, returning every 3 years, is about raw creative energy, carnal drives and “panic” that leads to change. 4 Vesta, returning every 3.63 years, is about devotion, ritual, dedication to beliefs and sex as spiritual transformation.

JUPITER returns every 12 years, and has to do with our search for meaning and purpose, confidence and creative will.

SATURN returns every 28-29 and can reflect our sense of responsibility, maturity and power to build material foundations.

CHIRON and the other Centaurs return about every 51 years or more (for Kuiper Belt objects). Chiron returns are about healing, teaching and the preparation of the hero. How will we be heroic in this later stage of life?

URANUS returns every 84 and connects us with out sense of freedom, audacity and willingness to step outside of boundaries. Neptune and Pluto return every 164 years and 248 respectively. These outer planets do not return in the known span of a human life.

Sedna returns ever 11,000 years or so; clearly not applicable for this technique!Solar, Lunar, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn return charts are the most frequently used, though any return (or demi-return, or phase return) can be valuable. The major planet returns give the broad strokes, the asteroid returns add subtle and fine details.

Creating a Planetary Return without an astro program

How do we read return charts?

As in all techniques, practice and experience brings a natural flow and familiarity. Here are some guidelines:

Return charts “last” from the moment of the return (or a bit before) until the following one. If you are doing a Venus return and the planet goes retrograde across the birth position a month later, a new return chart is created. When it goes direct across the birth point, another return is drawn.

Any return chart is read against the backdrop of the natal chart, not in isolation.

Sometimes location is tricky- it may be set for the birth place or the current residence. I use the birth place usually, but not always. I know it's not helpful to say 'it depends' but that's the case, ie. It mostly depends on how long one has been in the location, how long they plan to stay, how much it changes the birth place return etc. Many other astrologers prefer re-location chart. Experiment for yourself on this.

So, consider the orientation of the planet you are returning. A Venus return isn’t going to tell you a lot about meaning, purpose, knowledge and wisdom, but it can indicate social interactions, partnerships and changing values.

Lunar returns are great for feelings, but not so much about responsibilities in the pragmatic world.

Pay special attention to the returns of your chart ruler—the planet that rules the sign on your Ascendant. (I use traditional rulerships for this—Scorpio-Mars, Aquarius-Saturn, Pisces-Jupiter).

Suggested Approach to Reading the Return

Step One

1. Look at the overall pattern of the return chart. Is it a splash, indicating diverse interests and activities? Is it a bundle pattern, suggesting a focus of interest in the occupied houses? Check the hemispheric emphasis. How does this correlate to the natal patterns? If the person has a natal sew-saw pattern and has a return chart bowl pattern, how comfortable will they be with it?

Step Two

2. Check the orientation of the signs emphasized. What is the strongest modality? Element? Polarity? Is something 'missing'? How does that related back to the natal chart? Someone who has a natal emphasis in Cardinal Fire may have a lot to learn about practicality if the return chart emphasizes Fixed Earth. Take the declinations into consideration too! (And the Dwads)

Step Three

3. What sign is on the Return Ascendant? That will bring the corresponding natal sign/house to the foreground, giving it first house importance. What houses are occupied? Stelliums? Where does the Natal Ascendant degree fall in the Return chart?

Step Four

4. Most relevant, what are the signs on the cusps? They indicate needs and drives and offerings. Aries in the return chart is where we want to start something new. Taurus is where we ground things practically. Gemini is where we get curious and want to learn. Think of each house as an area of life and the sign on the cusp as a symbol of the orientation, needs and wants in relationship to that area of life.

Step Five

5. Check the aspects in the return chart. A lot of oppositions could indicate the need for objectivity and choices. Trines could coincide with ease or even lack of drive. Squares are struggles that get things moving. Look back at the natal chart to see how the solar return aspects compare. How will a natal Venus/Mars conjunction handle a solar return Venus/Mars opposition?

Step Six

6. Place the return planets in the natal chart and read as a transit chart, then put them back in the return chart to interpret as the outcome of those transits.

Step Seven

7. Check the Lunar nodes, the house placement of the return planet in both return and natal charts (Sun in solar returns, Moon in Lunar returns etc.), interceptions, the house placement of the ruler of the return chart, both natal and return, any planets rising in the return chart (natal or return) and aspects between the return and natal planets and points. You can also look at the vertex, some Arabic parts, midpoints, asteroids and fixed stars. Keep orbs tights!

Example Solar Return

First, let's look at Janette's Solar Return. What are the first few things that suggest a fabulous new solar year?

Example Demi Solar Return

Kim's Natal Chart

Solar Return Declination Table

Ready to explore the amazing branch of astrology known as electional charts?

To get started with this different way of viewing a chart, realize first that it’s still a BIRTH chart, just not of a human being. It’s the birth of a relationship, idea, project or business. Working with these “electional” or Origin/first meet charts can be surprisingly insightful, and revealing.

Quick Definitions:

Horary Charts – A horoscope drawn the moment a burning questions is asked. Use the time, date and place of the astrologer, the moment THEY hear (or read) the question.

Electional Charts – A horoscope drawn for the best time to take a desired action. Use the time/date and place of the planned event/signing, ceremony, launch.

First Meet/Genesis/Origin Charts – A horoscope drawn for the moment of the first meet/date/brainstorm/idea. Here we use the time/date and place of the ppl involved. If it’s face, the “birth place” is clear. If it’s an online “first meet” there are two charts, each with their own local date/time/place.

Once the chart is created (on astro.com for free or with your own fav astro software), the fun begins. Here are the basic tools you will need to read an election/origin chart:

A firm understanding of planetary dignities and rulerships, signs, houses, planets and aspects

Objectivity

Non-judgement

Numbers 2 & 3 are very important as much of the old literature on reading electionals, horary and first-meet charts is black and white, good and bad where in reality, we make of the energy what we will. Keep an open mind. If Mars square Uranus falls in the 10th and 7th, it doesn’t mean that the new biz partnership is doomed. You do want to be aware of the kind of approach required, as in not trying to control and manhandle but putting a lot of innovation and empowerment into everything you do together.

How Electional charts work – Like attracts like

We aren’t the way we are because of our birth data. Turn it around. We are born at a particular time because of who we are, and the same holds true for our ideas, our partnerships, our events and ceremonies. None of us come here with a clean slate. We have core values, beliefs, likes and dislikes from ‘before’, and so does anything that has a ‘beginning’ in manifest reality.

Law of Attraction says ‘like attracts like’. Everything in our lives is in alignment with our energy, our vibration. We get what we vibrate, which holds true for book launches, festivals, weddings, dates and brainstorm sessions. Astrology is not in contradiction to this notion. People, places, questions and ideas are born when they are (the sun, moon, and planets in a certain place) because that moment in time is a perfect match to WHAT they are.

How do we read electional charts?

In many ways, we read these charts just like a person’s natal. Working with electional and origin charts are great practice for honing your delineation skills including:

Rulerships – For a very basic tutorial on this, go HERE. If you just need a chart of the rulerships to brush up, see below. We use rulerships to identify the state and action of the relationships/meet-up/event. For example, if Sagittarius is rising in a first-meet chart, we know that Jupiter Rules the moment. We look at where and how Jupiter is placed to learn more about what the connection is all about.

Dignitaries – Not all planets are equally well disposed in each sign. They have their favorites and their challenges. Here is a chart of the classical dignitaries.

In some signs, the power of a planet (energy) is able to flow without any kinks because it is in a natural alignment with that sign. In other signs, it is more convoluted, because the energy of the planet is contrasting or a resistant to the nature of the sign.

Ruler – Planets in the signs they rule are like being on easy street for expression. Home. Empowered.

Detriment – Planets in the opposite sign to the one they rule are in the ‘shadow’ sign, or ‘contrast/detriment’ or ‘resistance’. Their power is not as free flowing because the sign is not aligned to their mode of expression (put a warrior in a tutu . . .Mars in Libra, or put Saturn, a corporate executive, in a pre-school teacher’ outfit). The ‘detriment’ or shadow sign is always opposite to the sign the planet rules.

Exaltation – Every planet has one sign other than the rulership sign, that it expresses completely freely in – that is the sign of the exaltation. (Saturn exalted in Libra, Mars exalted in Capricorn)

Fall – The opposite sign of the exaltation is the ‘fall’ or give . . . this shadow sign is also a contrast to the easy alignment, and through contrast, we grow in experience, gain self awareness and become more self-aware. Fulfilled.

A planet in the sign of his rulership is like a person entertaining in their own house. They feel at easy. natural and in control. In Detriment or Fall, it’s like entertaining in another person’s house – not able to do as exactly they please.

Other things to check in the electional/first-meet chart is the Moon and her “applying” aspects. They show the actions that come next. Also note the house position of the moon and the lunar phase (the aspect to the sun). The moon is considered the co-ruler of the chart, along with the Ascendant ruler so we put a strong focus there. Also we look at mutual receptions, and maybe Arabic Parts and some fixed stars and asteroids. Don’t clog the chart up to start with though. Get the essence and then gradually add in other elements IF they have something to offer the situation.

Houses – You will want to have a handle on “where” in the chart we find the other person (if another is involved). This is where you build your journal as a resource, keeping notes on the houses that rule different types of connections – 1st – Self, 2nd – Aunts and Uncles, 3rd house is siblings, 4th, a parent, 5th, first child, lovers, 6th, employee, 7th, “the other” 8th, banker, 9th, guru, teacher, 10th, boss, a parent, 11th, friends, 12th, the unknown other . . . that’s just to get you started.

Symbolism in Electional Charts

Each chart tells a story and as you practice with these electional and origin charts, you’ll start to understand what that story is.

I would love to look at one or two examples from the class to give you all a feel for how to jump in, so make note in the comments of the chart (is it a first meet, launch time or start up of a biz?) and have a link to it that everyone can click on and view. Obviously I can’t run through too many but you all can have a go. Let’s see what examples come up.

In the meantime, here is a chart of the moment. Let’s pretend it’s a first meet chart and I’m wondering “what to expect” of the energy of the connection.

Okay, now I wish I just met someone at this moment for real LOL! I didn’t time this out but really, look how cool it would be.

I’m a Gemini Sun and there it is, Gemini on the Ascendant, with the Part of Fortune. That’s me! Curious, flirty and having fun.

The chart ruler, from my perspective is Mercury, and he’s not thrilled to be in Capricorn but he’s “dignified” in the 7th house (because it is angular) and is applying to all kinds of fun aspects, ending with a trine to Jupiter and the Node. We might say that though I’d experience some shocks along the way (Mercury applying to a square to Uranus, (Yes , out of orb of 10 degrees but we are looking at all applying aspects by sign) but still, the feeling is all’s well that ends well with Jupiter node.

“They” (my hypothetical meet up person) are ruled by Jupiter (Saggo on the cusp of the 7th house of “the other”) and in his detriment (Virgo), but again, my ruler and their ruler are applying to a trine by sign. We would say that I have the better standing, the “hand” or upper hand/control, at least at the start.

The Moon is in the last hours of DARK, which isn’t what you’d plan for an electional chart. Make sure that the New Moon is complete, if you are planning an event. But still, Moon conjunct sun in the 7th bods well for this hypothetical connection. I would say we would definitely meet again, though with the dark moon and co-ruler moon square their ruler Jupiter, this intriguing other is committed elsewhere. The dark moon has a 12th house feel to it. We’d be sneaking around, for one reason or another! OR, we are collaborating on a mystery novel! Remember, keep an open mind on how the energy might play out.

All this from just looking at the rulers of the two people involved, and the co-ruler moon.

I hope it whets your appetite for more. Questions? Comments? Ideas?

Let’s talk!

If you want Kim to do an Electional Chart for you, finding the right date for a new adventure, see the Astrology Shop for Best Date Ever readings.

PS THE author to read if you want to specialize in these kinds of charts is Ivy Goldstein-Jacobson.

(If you have a strong horary question you want Kim to read, check out the options in the Astrology Shop.)

Horary Astrology is a deep and ancient practice, not learned in a single sitting, so don’t panic if you feel lost in places. This tutorial is to help you understand what Horary Astrology is, how it works and some of the rules to reading these incredibly insightful charts. If you’re interested in learning more, it’s a lifetime’s study, and very rewarding.

Horary comes from the Greek hora or “hourly”, the root used in words like horoscope and horometry – art of the measurement of time.

The first step in understanding horary astrology is to consider what the astrological chart is: a moment of time depicted in symbolic form. This horo-scope (looking at the hour) can be cast for a person, place or thing. In the case of Horary, it is the chart of a QUESTION and in the chart of the question is always the answer.

How does that work?

Because like attracts like, whatever is ‘born’ at a certain moment in time has a relationship to that moment’s energy signature. In other words, it is a reflection or ‘trail’ of the energy. Note: The chart reflects the natural expression of a person, place or thing, not the other way around. So, I’m not communicative because I was born with the sun Gemini. I was born with Sun and Mercury in Gemini because I am communicative.

In the case of the Horary chart, we can see this link very clearly. Question and answer, like two sides to the same coin, are contained in the energy of the moment it is asked. That energy is symbolized by the astrological chart. Have a burning question? When it’s ripe, you ask it, wording it clearly, and create a chart for that date, time and place. If a client asks the question, you do a chart for the moment you HEAR it (or read it in an email) and set the PLACE for THEIR location. That’s the horary chart set up, plain and simple.

Now comes the complexities. There are strict rules about reading a horary chart, the most important being, you can’t ask the same question twice (it’s like tarot in this instance) unless something major has changed in the situation.

The next three rules you can commit to memory. They determine if the chart of your questions is “Radical and fit to read.” Using the chart above as the example, let’s see if it’s readable as a Horary Chart:

You must have more than 3 degrees and less than 27 degrees on the Ascendant? Check. (If there are less than three degrees, we say, “It’s too soon to tell.” If More than 27 degrees, “It’s too late to tell.” There are exceptions, but learn this rule first.

The moon must be applying to one or more planets (ie NOT Void of Course). If VOC, the answer is immediate, “Nothing to worry about, or nothing will come of the question.” Because there are no applying aspects, no action will follow.

Saturn is NOT in the 7th house (if so, there is something wrong with the question, timing or astrologer).

Follow along with me and let’s check the example chart.

1) 7 degrees on the Asc – CHECK.

2) Moon applying to Mars and the Sun, CHECK.

3) Saturn is not in the 7th, CHECK.

We are good to go.

Now, to the question. Let’s say this question was from a client who had lost there cat. They asked “Where is my missing cat?” You want to phrase the question as specifically as possible. Vague questions yield vague answers, so make them tight. If someone is asking you face to face or in real time, dialog with them until it’s as specific as possible.

With horary, you need to know, or look up, your rulerships. With missing possessions, we focus on the 2nd house (the house of ‘movable things’), and for a missing pet, we focus on the 6th house. That means we check the ruler of the 6th, the co-ruler Moon, the natural ruler Mercury and the dispositorof the Part of Fortune. If any of these are angular (in houses 1, 4, 7, or 10) the missing kitty is near the home or where she ‘ought’ to be. In this case, the dispositor of the POF is Mercury, and Mercury itself (natural ruler of the 6th) is in the 10th house so the animal isn’t so much lost/stolen but has hidden herself. (When I drew up this chart, I did ask the question, “Where is Ra?” my cat, who wasn’t in any of the usual places.)

Finding the cat

In horary charts, where you find the planet that rules the question,you find the answer, or missing putty-tat. In this case Jupiter traditionally rules Pisces, found on the 6th house cusp. Jupiter is in the 11th house, so I take the directions of the compass as it related to the chart (where the 1st house is East and the 10th is South) and go to the SSE area of the home/yard (the 11th house ids SSE). Kitty will be in that quadrant. Then I look South by West (for Virgo) and ground level for Earth signs. Because Jupiter is near a cusp, we know to look near a gate, door or window. Again,my kit isn’t actually missing, but I have no idea where he is right now. Hang tight while I go look specifically where the chart has indicated.

Ta-Da! Okay, sure enough, Ra was asleep on a pile of leaves on the ground, in the SSE quadrant of the yard, SSW corner, of that quadrant, tucked up next to the gate post – hidden from view and slightly annoyed at being awakened.

Usually, if the pet is missing, you won’t find indicators that place them in the home, like this example, but ask Mystic about it. I have ‘found’ her missing cat on more than a few occasions. There are ways to work out how many miles/KM they are from the last known whereabouts, if another person has them etc etc.

Example Horary Astrology Questions

Another example, and common question for horary is, “Will this relationship be the one?”

To answer this questions, after you check the first three indicators, you look to the relationship between the ruler of the 1st (the person asking the questions) and the ruler of the 7th (the ‘other’). If there is no applying aspect, not much is connecting them, but we also check the co-ruler moon (the moon is always the co-ruler of any question) and if there is an aspect between moon and the rulers of the questions, you have a bond, of some kind. In this example case, it’s not ideal, unless you like to be challenged!

The rulers of the Asc and 7th houses are Mars and Venus. Venus is applying to a square, but, you have to check if she will complete the square before Mars changes signs. We do that by checking the ephemeris. And, no. Mars moves out of sign before Venus can complete the exact square. We can’t count it.

But, we have the co-ruler moon making a square from Aquarius, and the moon will complete the aspect before Mars moves even a degree. We can say, just from this, that the relationship is intense, challenging, possibly compulsive, and may not be headed in the direction the client wants it to go. But if both people have a strong Mars/Aries, like their connections with a bit of clash, it can be great. It’s not everyone’s favorite though. Both rulers (Venus and Mars) are angular so no ones backing down here. To know how the client feels about the outcome, we check the final aspect of the moon before she goes VOC. In this case, it’s inconjunct (150 degrees) to the Sun, suggesting things take a sudden and different turn, a detour. A third person could be involved. (perhaps there is a child, aging parent or ex to consider).

To know what underlying emotion triggered the question, look to the moons previous conjunction, no matter how far back you have to go. In the example chart, that previous conjunction of the moon was Pluto in the third (and here I am teaching (3rd house) occult material (Pluto)) Cool, right?

For more overview of Horary Astrology and the law of attraction, listen in to the first 10 minute of this GVA recording.

Horary Astrology 101 Summary

Through the positions of the planets, the question, it’s background, and where the energy is currently headed is fully described. It works like this:

Everything is energy.

Energy vibrates.

The signature of the vibration is a perfect match to the moment of ‘birth’ be it a person, business, relationship or idea.

Basically, the symbolism in the chart reflects the energy of the manifestation, and we can learn how to ‘read’ that energy, via the horoscope. Reading the Horary chart is less interpretive than it sounds. There are ancient, and very specific rules to the craft. Learn them, and you’ll be amazed at the information embedded in a single moment of time.

If you want to pursue this branch of astrology, find yourself a copy of the master, Ivy Goldstein Jacobson. If you have a question or want to play with ‘turning the chart’ let’s do that here with this example. (Turning the Wheel: This is where you want to know, for example, about your daughter’s relationships and we turn the chart to put the 5th house (children) on the Asc, which makes the 11th house the new 7th. Better news for this “daughter” and her BF as Saturn (ruler of the new Asc) is trine the sun by sign, (ruler of the new 7th) but out of orb. The co-ruler moon is inconjunct, meaning there is a strain, or consideration from a 3rd party … Maybe the inquiring mother?) Fun stuff!